Will Invisalign affect my speech?

Similar to other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp caused by the aligners should disappear.


Does insurance cover Invisalign?

If your insurance plan covers orthodontics, then it should cover some of the cost for invisalign.


How often must I wear my aligners?

We find aligners are most effective if worn 20 to 22 hours per day and removed only for eating, brushing, and flossing


Can patients use aligners for bleaching teeth while active tooth movement is occurring?

While we are aware that some patients are using aligners for bleaching, Align Technology has not examined the compatibility of currently available bleaching products with our aligners, nor have clinical studies demonstrated efficacy. Talk with Dr. Tau for more information on whitening teeth.


Are frequent follow-up visits required?

During the invisalign process you will be seeing Dr. Tau every 6-8 weeks to monitor the movement of your teeth.


Are there any side effects I might experience if I decide to use Invisalign?

Invisalign is used to straighten teeth just like braces. You have aligners in your mouth which are like bleaching trays. They may feel strange at the beginning, but you will forget they are in after awhile. They exert pressure on the teeth to move in the right direction. You may feel pressure and some soreness, but it is minimal. Actually, the side effects my dental assistant had from her Invisalign were positive! She lost weight! She did less snacking since she had to remove the aligners before eating and then brush her teeth. Her teeth are straighter than before and her oral hygiene is great! So look at the positive side...you will have straight teeth and you can also use the same trays to whiten them! You will snack less, have better oral hygiene and may lose weight!


Is there much discomfort with Invisalign treatment?

Typically described as pressure, minor discomfort for a day or two is experienced at the initial insertion of each new stage. This is a sign that Invisalign is working - sequentially moving teeth to their final destination.